Mma The Deadliest Martial Arts Weapons

Weapons used in martial arts range from the traditional katana sword of the upper-class samurai, to metal whips, claws, longbows, or a simple wooden staff. Martial arts weapons vary by culture, time-period, and style of fighting - but they're all badass. Making everything from nunchucks and simple wooden tonfa to priceless swords and giant hammers, ancient weapon-makers of Asia had a reputation for creativity and style that was unmatched anywhere in the world. Their weapons weren't just elegant, however; they were deadly.

Japanese martial arts weapons especially embraced multiple uses. A chain weapon could be used for offense, or for climbing. A wooden staff might be a blow gun, a breathing tube, or a combat weapon. Samurai had many different kinds of swords for different uses, and Shaolin warriors in China could take simple sickles and use them to attack, defend, or intimidate.

Here are some of the most badass martial arts weapons of all time. Check out our list below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.

1

Katana

Photo: via Tumblr The long, curved katana was the mainstay of the Samurai. It could be used as an offensive or defensive weapon. The scabbard was useful for defense, and as a blunt instrument, and it could even be stuck into a wall and used to climb. Some warriors even filled the scabbard with pepper or dust, which would blind an enemy when drawn.

Tiger Claws

Photo: via Wikimedia Four-pronged iron claws were worn by ninjas in need of something they could use to both climb a wall and either disarm or annihilate enemies once they got to the top. The design is thought to have originated in India, but Japanese warriors also embraced them, using the claws for offensive, defensive, and utility purposes. Also, are you going to mess with a guy wearing hand claws? No, you're not.

Shuriken

Photo: via Reddit The Shuriken is a traditional concealed weapon, used for throwing, slashing, or stabbing. While Western culture usually depicts these as throwing stars, they could also come in a variety of designs with curved or straight points. There were even versions that weren't flat discs, but rather, darts, covered in poison or bacteria.

Nine Section Whip

Photo: via Wikimedia A Shaolin weapon of incredible striking power, the nine section whip could come in a variety of sections and lengths. It had a wooden handle at one end, a spike at the other, and numerous lengths of metal chain in the middle, linked by rings. They could be used for offensive or defensive purposes, blinding, slashing, tying an enemy up, or striking from a long distance.